The deal
HSBC this week slashed the rates on its range of two-year, five-year and seven-year fixed-rate deals.
Good points
The bank's cheapest, two-year fix is now 2.44 per cent. The best five-year rate is 3.49 per cent, while you can get 3.79 per cent over seven years.
Bad points
The best two-year deal is only available if you have a deposit of at least 40 per cent. Even then there's a huge, £1,499 arrangement fee. If you have a 20 per cent deposit you get a higher rate of 3.49 per cent.
Conclusion
Headline interest rates have become irrelevant when it comes to mortgages. You'll need a calculator to work out if you're better off paying a higher rate and a lower fee, or the opposite. But, in general, rates are falling. That's good news for movers.
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